forest was tolerably thick, they could not move as rapidly as in
the open ground. We hoped, therefore, to have time to escape should our
bullets fail to kill them at the first shot. There were three
magnificent fellows feeding close together, and several others beyond
them. The latter had fallen to the share of Mr Welbourn and his party,
and we agreed to devote our attention to the three nearest. We
proceeded with the greatest care, in Indian file. The slightest sound,
even at a distance, caused by a stumble or the breaking of a twig, would
attract the attention of our expected prey.

We at length could see their trunks lifted above their heads to reach
the higher branches, the rest of their bodies being invisible, and of
course they could not see us.

Having taken up our positions, one in front of each elephant, we crept
forward, bending down as low as we could so as to escape detection as
long as possible. At the same time we looked out for trees to serve as
places of refuge. Activity and presence of mind are necessary when a
person is hunting wild beasts, but especially when elephant shooting.

I lost sight of my uncle, who was on my left, but I could just see
Harry, who was on the opposite side, his head appearing above the grass
and shrubs. I had made up my mind not to fire until I heard the report
of my uncle's rifle. At last I could see the huge ears of an elephant,
just in front of me, flapping up and down.

I knew that the moment would soon arrive when I must fire or be
discovered by the elephant. I crept on a few paces further, then rose
on my knees. At the moment that I heard the crack of my uncle's rifle,
I lifted my own weapon and fired, aiming full at the creature's broad
chest as high up as I could, so as to clear the head. Before the
smoke--which was kept from rising by the branches--had cleared away, a
loud trumpeting was heard. The moment it began Harry fired, but I could
not see the result. I sprang to my feet, so as to escape behind a tree
I had marked, fully expecting to have the elephant I had shot charge
furiously at me; but it did not, and though I retreated some paces I
could still see its head. It seemed to be looking about to discover the
enemy who had wounded it. No long time passed before it caught sight of
me, and then on it came. I could also hear a loud crashing among the
boughs to the right, produced, I had no doubt, by the elephant at which
Harry had aimed. On reac